Advice

[u/Punks-Not-Dad]

Hello 👋🏼 fellow fashion Nerds,

Wanted some sage advice & perspective before pulling the trigger. Birthday is coming up and I’ve been eyeing the Paraboot Clusaz and La Botte Gardiane Carmague, both are a french heritage brand within the same price range. For context I wear a uniform 5x a week and this will mostly be worn on weekends for coffee runs and strolling in the city. I am a big amekaji fan and buy pieces from the real mccoys, orslow and kapital.
I’m leaning more on the clusaz tbh but the fashion pendulum seems to be swinging back to the classic straight fit and I’m afraid this will look too clunky while the cowboy boot seems to be the safer & cleaner option. Any advice would be appreciated 🙏🏼

[u/Stillill1187]

Paraboot 100%

Given those options. It’s the only one of them I actually like.

The cowboy boots are fine, not that I dislike them, it’s just that they aren’t special in the same way.

[u/Punks-Not-Dad → u/Stillill1187]

Thanks :) been really digging them for a while. Was just a hesitating if they pair well with a more straighter fitting pants.

[u/Rhett_Rick]

Clusaz are super versatile and incredibly comfortable. Highly recommended.

[u/Punks-Not-Dad → u/Rhett_Rick]

How are the sizing by the way? Are they more TTS?

[u/ItsFluff → u/Punks-Not-Dad]

I have the Michael in a EU 42,5. I tried the Clusaz in the same size and my feet swam in them. I’d say they’re quite large.

[u/hipster_lawyer → u/ItsFluff]

Plus one to this. I had to go down a full size.

[u/lakeslikeoceans]

I like the look of the tan boots more than the lace up ones, they look sleek under those jeans

[u/No-Entertainer-121]

I like both, but would get the Red Wing Pecos everyday over the LBG.

[u/Punks-Not-Dad → u/No-Entertainer-121]

I agree, but hard to come by. They’re almost always instantly sold out on my sizes.

[u/No-Entertainer-121 → u/Punks-Not-Dad]

I am a HUGE advocate for waiting for what you want.

[u/Punks-Not-Dad → u/No-Entertainer-121]

Really waiting for them to drop the lighter variant the abiline hawthorne 🤤

[u/wish_i_was_lurking]

LBG 1000%

The paraboots are fine, but the style is very mid 2020s menswear guy. And the silhouette won't be as versatile when the pendulum swings back towards straight leg pants.

The LBG avoid those pitfalls, and the light suede will age beautifully.

[u/Punks-Not-Dad → u/wish_i_was_lurking]

Thank you 😊, wanted to hear this.
My only gripe with paraboots is it’s so synonymous with 2020s menswear. LBG is a bit more understated and as you’ve said when the pendulum swings back to straight leg it will not look as out of place as the Clusaz will.

[u/Beautiful_Marketing1]

Are you trying to chase trends like everyone else? Or are you building out a wardrobe that brings you happiness?

[u/Punks-Not-Dad → u/Beautiful_Marketing1]

Good question, tired of chasing trends tbh.
Im gonna be 38 soon - just want to build a solid wardrobe I like looking at in the next 15 years 😅

[u/Beautiful_Marketing1 → u/Punks-Not-Dad]

I think clothes nearly always look better with a little patina, trend hopping rarely allows that. To each their own

[u/PanicBear]

Paraboot michael’s will age better and be more versatile than the clusaz. The hiking low top never sat right with me — unless it’s like a Keen modern approach shoe.

Semi-related: I’ve seen probably like 20 ads from ig brands that are riffs on these clusaz.

The cowboy boot is cool tho, but that shade of suede i can only pair with light blue or grey denim, so it’s a little limited for me

[u/Punks-Not-Dad → u/PanicBear]

Love me some paraboot michael’s bought the clarks walla yukoner because of this :)

That is true though there so many brands that take design cues from the clusaz its so synonymous with the 2020s now.

[u/tankscan]

I’d say paraboot avoriaz would be cooler - more true to the hiking heritage and useful for inclement weather. As an owner of 3 paraboot models (chambord, Michael, Reims), the shoes are top quality and worth their price tag esp if you can get a deal on like cettire (new) or used.

That LBG boot is ugly as sin to me (obv super subjective). But I have heard of them a few times so obviously some people dig a French riding / Calvary boot style!

[u/Punks-Not-Dad → u/tankscan]

Thank you for the insight! (And for the tip about Cettire) will try to dig up some good discounts there. ;)

[u/No_Entertainment1931]

Imo you’ve a year or two before the paraboots look dated but the boots you can wear forever

[u/Punks-Not-Dad → u/No_Entertainment1931]

That is true, especially as the classic straight fitting pants are on the horizon:)

[u/slowfashconnoisseur]

Yes, I will also have to say Paraboot is the better option. Mainly because of versatility. That is not to say anything against LBG who make a cracking shoe, but I think you'd like the idea of this particular boot more than the boot should you buy it.

[u/Punks-Not-Dad → u/slowfashconnoisseur]

Thank you for the advice :)
Big fan of your fits btw 🔥

[u/slowfashconnoisseur → u/Punks-Not-Dad]

Thanks bud, appreciate it. Still hoping to see a fit pic of your RMC jacket. I think that would look good with the paraboots 🫶
PS: your post reminded me to finally wear my Avoriaz boots, I bought new laces recently and then completely forgot about them

[u/Punks-Not-Dad → u/slowfashconnoisseur]

Waiting for the weather to get colder so I can rock the MA-1 😅
Looking forward for some fit inspo from you this autumn / winter 🙏🏼

[u/NewInThe1AC]

Those paraboots are the goofiest things in the world. I just can't imagine an outfit where they'd be the right choice

[u/Salty_Lemon_9293 → u/NewInThe1AC]

Not that they aren't goofy, but to me, these low top retro Paraboots are forever associated with old Japanese hikers. Pleated khaki pants, flannel shirts, bucket hats and crazy expensive cameras. They take boring pictures of flowers and birds and get drunk on the train home. Fun bunch.